US5038008A - Member for controlling a device such as an electric switch of the kind shaped as a pivoting lever - Google Patents

Member for controlling a device such as an electric switch of the kind shaped as a pivoting lever Download PDF

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Publication number
US5038008A
US5038008A US07/440,816 US44081689A US5038008A US 5038008 A US5038008 A US 5038008A US 44081689 A US44081689 A US 44081689A US 5038008 A US5038008 A US 5038008A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
lever
indentation
shaped
piece
top wall
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US07/440,816
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English (en)
Inventor
Louis Pommier
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
RUSSENBERGER
Original Assignee
Mors SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mors SA filed Critical Mors SA
Assigned to MORS reassignment MORS ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: POMMIER, LOUIS
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US5038008A publication Critical patent/US5038008A/en
Assigned to MORS COMPOSANTS reassignment MORS COMPOSANTS ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: MORS
Assigned to RUSSENBERGER reassignment RUSSENBERGER ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MORS COMPOSANTS
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H23/00—Tumbler or rocker switches, i.e. switches characterised by being operated by rocking an operating member in the form of a rocker button
    • H01H23/02—Details
    • H01H23/12—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
    • H01H23/14—Tumblers
    • H01H23/143—Tumblers having a generally flat elongated shape
    • H01H23/145—Tumblers having a generally flat elongated shape the actuating surface having two slightly inclined areas extending from the middle outward
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/18—Distinguishing marks on switches, e.g. for indicating switch location in the dark; Adaptation of switches to receive distinguishing marks

Definitions

  • the present invention relates essentially to a member for controlling or operating a device such as an electric switch of the kind shaped as a lever mounted in pivoting or swinging relationship in a box or casing so that at least one end thereof is pivotable or swingable between a position retracted into the casing and a position in which it projects at least partially from the casing to be visible, at least one zone of the outer surface area of the visible part of the end being colored to show the operating state or working condition of the device.
  • a device such as an electric switch of the kind shaped as a lever mounted in pivoting or swinging relationship in a box or casing so that at least one end thereof is pivotable or swingable between a position retracted into the casing and a position in which it projects at least partially from the casing to be visible, at least one zone of the outer surface area of the visible part of the end being colored to show the operating state or working condition of the device.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a control member of the type defined hereinabove which may be made in a simple and cheap manner while removing any risk of altering the zone for indicating or signalling the state of the switch.
  • control member according to the invention is characterized in that the colored surface area of the indicating or signalling zone is the surface of a separately made part or piece and in that the end of the lever is shaped to allow an advantageously removable assembly of said part or piece onto the lever.
  • the separate piece is made in particular through moulding from a material of a color differing from that of the lever.
  • the separate piece has a generally U-shaped cross-section in a plane substantially parallel to the lever operating surface and the visualizing display or signalling end has a structure adapted for supporting and assembling said U-shaped piece.
  • those ends of the walls of the piece which form the legs of the U-shaped exhibit projections extending inwardly of the U-shaped substantially at right angles to the walls thereof and the support structure of the lever comprises elements providing for the fastening of the piece through engagement or snapping of said projections into these elements.
  • FIG. 1 is a view in cross-section taken upon the line I--I of FIG. 2 showing a first embodiment of a control member according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the control member shown on FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a view in cross-section taken upon the line III--III of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the separate piece of a control member according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the control member according to the FIGS. 1 to 4.
  • FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of a control member according to the invention.
  • the Figures show a control member A shaped as a pivoting or swinging lever with two arms or shaped as a handle or grip and adapted to fit an electric switch.
  • the operating or control lever is adapted to be mounted in pivoting or swinging relationship onto the framing or surrounding walls B of the open upper end of a switch box or case accommodating or housing the electric contact device operated by the lever shown according to the invention.
  • Switch boxes or cases of this kind are known per se, the case not having been shown.
  • At 1 are shown the pivot-like tips or pintles for mounting the lever into the framing structure.
  • the control lever comprises an actuating top wall 2 and side walls 3 which are shaped to extend substantially at right angles inwards of the case from the wall 2. It is seen that the pivot-like tips or pintles 1 are provided on the outer side faces of the lever. At 4 is shown the plunger of the lever which is adapted to act upon the electric contact device.
  • the switch according to the invention is mounted within a box, case or like housing so that its two ends may pivot or swing between a lower position in which the actuating top surface is practically on the same level as the upper edge of the framing structure B, as diagrammatically shown on the right-hand side of FIG. 1, and an upper position in which a substantial zone of the end is projecting from the case and visible from the three sides. This position is diagrammatically shown on the left-hand side of FIG. 1.
  • the piece 6 has a generally U-shaped cross-section in a plane substantially parallel to the actuating surface of the lever and comprises a base wall 7a extending substantially in parallel relationship to the axis of the pivot tips 1 and side walls 7b which extend perpendicularly from the base wall and form the legs of the U-shaped piece.
  • the base wall 7a forms the front wall of the lever end and the outer surfaces of the front wall and the side walls are adapted so that, when the piece is assembled to the lever, these surfaces exhibit on the left side of the lever the same outline as on the right side.
  • the ends of the side walls 7b of the legs of the U-shaped configuration exhibit projections 8 which extend substantially at right angles inwardly of the U-shaped configuration to form engaging or locking hooks, projections or like dogs.
  • the height of the piece 6 may be greater on the side opposite to the end carrying the projections 8.
  • the piece 6 is made separately from the remainder of the lever and preferably from a material of a color different from that of the lever.
  • the left arm of the lever is shaped to carry the element 6.
  • it has a supporting structure 10 which extends from the actuating top wall 2 inwardly of the case.
  • the outer faces constitute the bottom of the recessed lever portion 6a as is clearly shown on the FIG. 5.
  • This structure 10 has a substantially rectangular cross-section in a plane parallel to that wall (FIG. 2), in a manner complementary to or mating with the cross-section of the piece 6.
  • the structure 10 comprises substantially plane side surfaces 10a, 10b and 10c forming respectively the front face, the parallel side faces and rear face portions opposite to the front face.
  • the front face 10a and the side faces 10b are complementary to the inner faces 15a, 15b of hte U-shaped piece 6.
  • FIG. 1 the inner faces 15a, 15b of hte U-shaped piece 6.
  • the piece 6 and the structure 10 are shaped to allow an advantageously removable mounting of the piece 6 onto the support arm of the switch lever, the projections 8 of the piece 6 coming into engagement behind the zones 11 of the rear face 10c adjacent to the edges formed by the faces 10b and 10c of the structure 10. An assembly through locking or snapping engagement is thus obtained.
  • the front face 10a extends in a divergent way from the top wall 2 with respect to the locking zones 11 of the rear face 10c extending in parallel relationship to the middle transverse plane 16 (FIGS. 1, 2, 4) defined by the pivot pins 1 and the axis of the plunger 4.
  • This divergent orientation is indicated on the Figures by the angle ⁇ .
  • the inner face 15a of the base or front wall 7a of the piece 6 is complementarily inclined according to the angle ⁇ so that the piece 6 when mounted on the structure 10 is impeded from moving thereon perpendicularly to the wall 2, whereas the hook like projections 8 prevent a movement in parallel relationship to the top wall 2.
  • the piece 6 can only be disengaged from the lever support structure 10 by resiliently outwardly spreading the ends of its side walls or legs 7b.
  • the left end of the lever which carries the piece 6 is projecting from the surrounding or framing structure B.
  • the piece 6 for instance from a material of red color
  • the pivoting or swinging condition of the control lever A is clearly visible from the three sides.
  • the state of the electric switch is clearly displayed. Since the piece 6 is made as a whole from a material for instance of red color, the visible signalling zone or portion of the lever is not at all subjected or exposed to wear phenomena or to any other kind of alteration likely to make the color indicating the operating state of the device vanish.
  • the detachable assembly of the piece 6 allows the replacement of this piece by another one having for instance another color. As the piece 6 remains, even in its visible position, partially inserted into the case, it may not be removed without previously disassembling the lever A from the framing or surrounding structure B.
  • FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of a control member according to the invention.
  • the elements already shown in the first embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 5 have the same reference numerals.
  • the recess portion for receiving the piece 6 is cut out at all sides in the side walls 3 of the lever, even at its lower end defined by the U-shaped shoulder face 17.
  • the recess or indentation forming the support structure 10 extends in parallel relationship to the locking surface zones 11 of the rear face 10c of the structure 10.
  • the piece 6 is held in its position on the lever between the top wall 2 and the shoulder face 17 opposite to the wall 2 and thus perpendicular movement to the top wall is impeded.
  • the inner face 15a of the front wall of the piece 6 needs now also need not be inclined with respect to the locking face portions 11 of the structure 10.

Landscapes

  • Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)
  • Mechanical Control Devices (AREA)
  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)
  • Tumbler Switches (AREA)
  • Mechanisms For Operating Contacts (AREA)
US07/440,816 1987-02-10 1989-11-22 Member for controlling a device such as an electric switch of the kind shaped as a pivoting lever Expired - Fee Related US5038008A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8701645A FR2610761B1 (fr) 1987-02-10 1987-02-10 Organe de commande d'un dispositif tel qu'un interrupteur electrique, du type en forme d'un levier pivotant
FR8701645 1987-02-10

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US07154933 Continuation-In-Part 1988-02-10

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US5038008A true US5038008A (en) 1991-08-06

Family

ID=9347768

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US07/440,816 Expired - Fee Related US5038008A (en) 1987-02-10 1989-11-22 Member for controlling a device such as an electric switch of the kind shaped as a pivoting lever

Country Status (11)

Country Link
US (1) US5038008A (es)
EP (1) EP0280604B1 (es)
JP (1) JPS63221520A (es)
CA (1) CA1319386C (es)
DE (2) DE280604T1 (es)
DK (1) DK66388A (es)
ES (1) ES2004858T3 (es)
FI (1) FI880577A (es)
FR (1) FR2610761B1 (es)
NO (1) NO880572L (es)
YU (1) YU25788A (es)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5700986A (en) * 1994-12-01 1997-12-23 Wago Verwaltungsgesellschaft Mbh Switching levers having selectively visible marking areas
AU685663B2 (en) * 1994-09-29 1998-01-22 H.P.M. Industries Pty Limited Switch actuating dolly
US5844183A (en) * 1997-05-18 1998-12-01 Tseng; Ming-I Button switch
US20080029375A1 (en) * 2006-08-01 2008-02-07 Cherry Gmbh Key button

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4402439A (en) * 1981-12-23 1983-09-06 Brown Glen J Bicycle saddle bags
AU615743B2 (en) * 1988-05-31 1991-10-10 H.P.M. Industries Pty Limited Switch actuator
US5008503A (en) * 1989-10-27 1991-04-16 Mcgill Manufacturing Company, Inc. Switch with colored indicator cap

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4436972A (en) * 1980-09-03 1984-03-13 Heinemann Electric Company Circuit protector having a lamp within its handle and terminals therefor

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB941718A (en) * 1959-03-12 1963-11-13 Ericsson Telephones Ltd Improvements in or relating to labelling means
US3250887A (en) * 1964-12-18 1966-05-10 Carling Electric Inc Rocker switch button with replaceable caps
GB1185463A (en) * 1966-02-11 1970-03-25 George Turnock Ltd Electric Switches.

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4436972A (en) * 1980-09-03 1984-03-13 Heinemann Electric Company Circuit protector having a lamp within its handle and terminals therefor

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU685663B2 (en) * 1994-09-29 1998-01-22 H.P.M. Industries Pty Limited Switch actuating dolly
US5700986A (en) * 1994-12-01 1997-12-23 Wago Verwaltungsgesellschaft Mbh Switching levers having selectively visible marking areas
US5844183A (en) * 1997-05-18 1998-12-01 Tseng; Ming-I Button switch
US20080029375A1 (en) * 2006-08-01 2008-02-07 Cherry Gmbh Key button

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3874772T2 (de) 1993-04-29
ES2004858T3 (es) 1993-04-16
FI880577A (fi) 1988-08-11
YU25788A (en) 1990-08-31
CA1319386C (en) 1993-06-22
FR2610761B1 (fr) 1992-04-03
NO880572D0 (no) 1988-02-09
FI880577A0 (fi) 1988-02-09
DE280604T1 (de) 1989-03-30
NO880572L (no) 1988-08-11
EP0280604B1 (fr) 1992-09-23
DK66388A (da) 1988-08-11
FR2610761A1 (fr) 1988-08-12
EP0280604A1 (fr) 1988-08-31
DE3874772D1 (de) 1992-10-29
DK66388D0 (da) 1988-02-09
JPS63221520A (ja) 1988-09-14
ES2004858A4 (es) 1989-02-16

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: MORS, FRANCE

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:POMMIER, LOUIS;REEL/FRAME:005183/0980

Effective date: 19891115

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAT HOLDER CLAIMS SMALL ENTITY STATUS - SMALL BUSINESS (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: SM02); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

AS Assignment

Owner name: MORS COMPOSANTS, STATELESS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:MORS;REEL/FRAME:006225/0714

Effective date: 19920807

AS Assignment

Owner name: RUSSENBERGER, FRANCE

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MORS COMPOSANTS;REEL/FRAME:006773/0145

Effective date: 19930924

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 19950809

STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362